In various 12-Step groups, such as AA or NA, a sponsor is someone who has some time in the program and has worked the steps who is willing to be there for newcomer. Sponsors generally help take the newcomer through the steps, are there to listen when a newcomer calls, and encourages the him or her to get involved in the group. Sponsors expect nothing in return except that the sponsee does the same for the next person needing help.

Sponsee: Hey John, just wanted to say hey, nothing new here.
Sponsor: Good to hear, see you at a meeting tonight?
Sponsee: Yeah, I'll be there.
Sponsor: Good, you might wanna go ahead and make the coffee.

In Poland and possibly other Central European countries, the English word "sponsor" is used to describe a usually older, wealthy man who gives a young female friend money to help her through college, etc. He usually gets sex in return. She usually searches for him through an agency or web site. Both the man and the woman may have other steady partners. Neither the man nor the woman will admit the practice is prostitution, as the couple have a steady friendship and may go on clandestine holidays together, etc. The practice is far less normal in post-feminist Western Europe or North America, where it would be considered prostitution.

Magda from Warsaw posted an advert on the internet looking for a sponsor. She had the looks and the charm, and needed the money to finish her law degree. Her ideal man was about the same age as her father, from somewhere like England or America and good looking. That would make sleeping with him a little easier.

a) A car (usually on highway) constantly going over the speed limit, which you can follow so, in case traffic police with radar shows up, it gets caught and fined before you, allowing you to drive fast without getting a speeding ticket.

b) Rich man who gets women only because his fat wallet not his personal characteristics (looks, personality, etc.)

a) "See that BMW, who just passed us? Speed up and follow him, he will be our sponsor."

b) "OMG, look! Cathy is together with another fat, ugly bastard. Her previous sponsor must have run out of money!"